Chelsea Team News: Conte Confirms He Could Be Without 5 Players For Tottenham Clash

Premier League football returns this weekend as Chelsea welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Antonio Conte has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning and provided a team news and injury update ahead of the game.

The Blues boss has confirmed that Thibaut Courtois and Andreas Christensen face late fitness tests to see if they’ll be available for selection against Spurs this weekend.

Courtois picked up a hamstring injury in training before the international break while Christensen returned home early from duty with Denmark due to a muscle complaint and it remains to be seen if they’ll be fit to take on Tottenham.

There was also concerning news on David Luiz as Conte has revealed the defender is at least another three weeks away from returning from a long-term knee injury.

Gary Cahill is in-line for a recall to the starting eleven this weekend, especially if Christensen is ruled out, but youngster Ethan Ampadu has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken ankle.

Conte also provided an update on Ross Barkley and confirmed that the midfielder will continue his recovery from a hamstring injury by turning out for the development squad this weekend.

Barkley has endured a torrid campaign with injury and has been restricted to making just three appearances since joining Chelsea in January so he’ll be hoping to get some vital minutes under his belt with the youth team on Saturday.

Conte says checks need to be made on Thibaut Courtois and Andreas Christensen to find out their physical condition and whether they can play on Sunday. #CHETOT

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 29, 2018

Conte says Ross Barkley will play for our Development Squad on Saturday as he continues his recovery from injury. #CHETOT

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 29, 2018

Conte says David Luiz is out for at least another three weeks as he continues his recovery from a knee problem. The boss says Gary Cahill is an option in central defence if Christensen is not fit. Ethan Ampadu is out injured for the season. #CHETOT

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 29, 2018

Chelsea head in to the weekend action sitting fifth in the Premier League table and five points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham so it’s vital they pick up a positive result on home soil this weekend.